1976: 22-year-old hairdresser and singer, Kevin Rowland places an advert for musicians in the Birmingham Evening Mail . Guitarist Mark Phillips replies to the advert and together with girlfriend Gil Weston (who he teaches to play bass) they become 'Art-Rock' band, Lucy & The Lovers.

1977: Inspired by the success of acts such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash, Kevin Rowland adopts a punkier sound and image for the band (which  now includes drummer, Lee Burton and backing vocalist, Heather Tonge) renaming them The Killjoys. First studio session recorded in Cambridge: (tracks: Johnny Won't Go To Heaven; Naive; At Night; Recognition). July 15: Single, "Johnny Won't Go To Heaven"/"Naive" released. It does not chart, but gains critical acclaim.  Burton leaves the band, while guitarist Keith Rimell and drummer Bob Peach are recruited. October 18: Radio One session recorded for John Peel (tracks: Naive; Back To Front; At Night; Recognition)

1978 February 13: Radio One session recorded for John Peel (tracks: Ghislaine; Spit On Me; Smoke Your Own; All The Way) Kevin Rowland  sees guitarist Kevin Archer performing in local band, The Negatives with Pete Williams and invites Archer to join The Killjoys. June: Phillips, Weston and Peach leave The Killjoys and form new band Out Of Nowhere, featuring Michael Billingham on keyboards. The Killjoys split shortly afterwards. July: Dexys Midnight Runners formed by Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer who place adverts for musicians in the Birmingham Evening Mail . Bassist Pete Williams, organ-player Pete Saunders and drummer John Jay are amongst the first recruits. Following a lengthy audition process, they are eventually joined by sax players Geoff Blythe and Steve Spooner along with trumpeter Jeff Kent. October: Jimmy Paterson travels from the north of Scotland to Birmingham to audition as the group's trombone player. The group spend the next few months rehearsing solidly.   December: @ Dudley, Hen & Chickens (Debut gig) Dexys record their first demo tapes with recordings of "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green", "Don't Come Any Closer"(a.k.a ."I'm Just Looking") and the never-released "It's Up To You".

1979: Dexys start performing regularly at small venues in and around Birmingham . May: Billy Adams meets Kevin Rowland at an early Dexys gig. May 18: @ Birmingham, Imperial Hotel July 21:  @ Camden, Electric Ballroom (sharing the bill with The Specials, Madness and The Selector)   Bernie Rhodes becomes the  group's manager offering them a distribution deal with his own Oddball Records. Bobby "Junior" Ward - drummer with Subway Sect (also managed by Rhodes) replaces John Jay. August 8: @ Birmingham, Romulus (+ support act - Joy Division) September ??: "Dance Stance/I'm Just Looking" recorded  November: Dexys are invited to join The Specials and The Selector on a 'Two Tone Tour', replacing Madness who have left after signing to Stiff Records: November 15: @ Carlisle, Market Hall November 16: @ Leeds, University November 17: @ Loughborough, University November 18: @ Bristol, Locarno November 21: @ Liverpool, Mountford Hall November 22: @ Dublin, Olympic Ballroom November 23: @ Belfast, University November 25: @ London, Lyceum November 26: @ Hemel Hempstead, Pavilion November 28: @ Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens November 29: @ Coventry, Tiffanys Debut single, "Dance Stance" released. December: Andy Leek and Andy Growcott (a.k.a. 'Stoker') join Dexys replacing Pete Saunders and Bobby Jnr.  December 21: @ Dudley, JB's December 27: @ Camden, Electric Ballroom

1980 January 6: @ London, Marquee Dexys embark on 38-date "Straight To The Heart" tour: January 19: @ Aylesbury, Friars. "Dance Stance" enters British chart. January 25: @ Camden, Music Machine January 28: @ Edinburgh, Tiffany's January 29: @ Perth, City Hall January 30: @ Glasgow, Technical College January 31: @ Aberdeen, Fusion February 1: @ St. Andrews, University (Craig and Charlie Reid attend this gig and are  inspired to form their own group, The Proclaimers)   February 3: @ Dundee, University   February 4: @ Aberystwyth, University   February 5: @ Shrewsbury, Music Hall   February 6: @ Wolverhampton, Polytechnic   February 7: @ Canterbury, University of Kent   February 8: @ Stafford, North Staffordshire Polytechnic   February 9: @ Huddersfield, Polytechnic. "Dance Stance" peaks at Number 40 in British Chart. (Dexys make their debut appearance on "Top of the Pops")   February 10: @ Norwich, University of East Anglia   February 11: @ Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Tyffany's   February 12: @ Nuneaton, 77 Club   February 13: @ Sheffield, Polytechnic   February 14: @ Coventry, Warwick University   February 15: @ Kidderminster, Town Hall   February 16: @ Middlesborough, Rock Garden   February 18: @ Swansea, Circles   February 19: @ Cardiff, Top Rank   February 20: @ Bristol, Romeo & Juliet's   February 21: @ Penzance, Demalzas   February 22: @ Bath, University   February 23: @ Manchester, Polytechnic February 25: @ Oldham, Queen Elizabeth Hall February 26: @ Leicester, University. Radio 1 Session recorded (Tracks: "Geno", "Breakin' Down The Walls of Heartache", "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" and "The Horse") February 27: @ Birmingham, Top Rank February 28: @ Keele, University February 29: @ Brighton, Top Rank February ??: "Geno"/"Breakin' Down The Walls of Heartache" single recorded. ("Dance Stance" remixed at same session. "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" also recorded at this time) March 1: @ Camden, Electric Ballroom March 2: @ Bournemouth, Stateside Centre March 4: @ Hull, University March 6: @ Coleraine, New University of Ulster March 7: @ Belfast, Queen's University March 8: @ Dublin, Bellefield University March 22: "Geno" enters British chart. Pete Saunders returns to Dexys.   April: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" recorded.  May 3: "Geno" reaches Number 1 in British chart.  May 10: Record Mirror announces that Andy Leek has left Dexys.  May 17: Dexys reply that Leek had actually left at the end of March but waited until Geno was topping the charts before announcing his departure.  He coincidentally had a single 'out in few weeks'. Dexys  begin their mammoth "Intense Emotion Review" tour:   June 10: @ Portsmouth, Locarno June 11: @ Canterbury, Odeon June 12 : @ Pier Pavillion, Hastings June 13: @ Brighton, Top Rank  June 14: @ Dunstable, Queensway   June 15: @ Sheffield, Top Rank June 16: @ Doncaster, Rotters June 17: @ Coventry, Tiffanys June 18: @ Norwich, University of East Anglia June 20: @ Penzance, Dermelzas   June 21: @ Exeter, University June 22: @ Bristol, Locarno June 23: @ Swindon, Brunel Rooms June 24: @ Reading, University June 25: @ Loughborough, University June 26: @ Newcastle, Mayfair June 27: @ Ayr, Pavilion June 29: @ Glasgow, Tiffanys June 30: @ Edinburgh, Tiffanys July: Several planned tour dates, including Wigan Casino and Guildford Civic are replaced with dates at venues better-suited to Dexys' shows. July 2: @ London, Hornsey Town Hall July 3: @ Blackburn, King George's Hall July 4: @ Stoke, King's Hall July 5: @ Bradford, King George's Hall July 7: @ Merthyr Tydfil, Tythe Ballroom July 8: @ Swansea, Top Rank July 9: @ Derby, Assembly Rooms July 10: @ Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens July 11: @ Manchester, New Century Hall July 12: "There There My Dear" enters British chart. July 13: @ Cardiff, Top Rank July 14: @ Stafford, Top Of The World July 15: @ Hatfield, Forum July 16: @ Liverpool, Original Club  July 17: @ Birmingham, Gay Tower Ballroom July 18: @ Birmingham, Cedar Club ("under 18's") July 19: @ Oxford, New Theatre July 20: @ Ashington, Regatta Marquee July 23: @ Galway, Seapoint July 24: @ Sligo, Baymount July 25: @ Tralee, Cyms July 26: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" enters British album chart. July 29: @ Dublin, Mansion House  July 30: @ Dundalk, Imperial July 31: @ Belfast, Ulster Hall August ??: Dexys make their first appearance in the U.S.A. playing a couple of nights at 'Hurrahs' in New York. August 2: "There There My Dear" peaks at Number 7 in British Chart. August 6: Dexys announce they will no longer be giving interviews and that they intend to communicate directly with their fans through essays. Dexys embark on a lengthy European tour with new recruit Mick Talbot on keyboards.  August 17: @ Groningen Sterrebos (Holland)    September: "Keep It - Part Two" / "One Way Love" recorded. October 8: @ Berlin, S.O. 36   October 9: @ Hamburg, Markthalle   October 10: @ Herford, Scala. Dexys also appear on Granada TV show, "Wilson's World of Pop", interviewed (in a caff) by presenter Tony Wilson.   October 11: @ Cologne, Funkhaus   October 13: @ Hannover, Rotation   October 14: @ Dusseldorf, Ratinger Hof November 7: Dexys split. Williams, Blythe, Spooner, Talbot and Stoker leave to form The Bureau. November 13: Smash Hits announces that Seb Shelton has left Secret Affair. He subsequently joins Dexys.  November 17: "Keep It - Part Two" released. December: New line-up of Midnight Runners recruited by Rowland, Archer, Paterson and Shelton. Saxophonists Paul Speare and Brian Maurice are joined by keyboard player Micky Billingham and bassist Steve Wynne. New-look  Dexys  perform "Geno" on  "Top of  the  Pops" Christmas special.

1981 January: Kevin Archer leaves Dexys to form The Blue Ox Babes. He is replaced by Billy Adams. The new line-up rehearse in a disused theatre for their planned tour, provisionally entitled "The Open Heart Revue".   "Plan B" / "Soul Finger" single recorded.  March 9: "Plan B" released (against the group's wishes). March 21: "Plan B" enters British chart, peaking at number 58. April: Dexys leave E.M.I., having discovered a loop-hole in their original contract. Without record company support they are forced to cancel most of the planned shows on their  "Projected Passion Revue" tour.  April 9: @ Birmingham, Odeon   April 13: @ Chelmsford, Odeon April 17: @ London, Dominion Theatre  May 30: "Radio 1 Live In Concert" recorded @ London, Paris Theatre  May 5 (9-45pm):  Dexys appear on BBC2 'alternative comedy' show "Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights" starring Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Alexei Sayle. They perform "Plan B" and "Soul Finger". June: Dexys sign to Phonogram before embarking on a two-week tour of Europe, including the Hamar Festival in Norway, some shows in Stockholm and several appearances at open-air festivals in Holland.   June 27: @ Bussem, (West Germany) June 30: @ Brouwershaven, (Holland)  July 3: "Show Me/Soon" released   July 9: "Radio 1 Sessions" recorded (tracks: "Spiritual Passion", "Let's Make This Precious", "Your Own" and "Until I Believe In My Soul"). July 11: "Show Me" enters British chart. August 16: @ Nottingham - Theatre Royal - The show is filmed and an edited version of it is later broadcast on ITV show "Video Sounds".   August 17: @ Edinburgh, Coasters Dexys travel to Portugal to take part in the Avante festival, performing in front of crowds of 5000!   September 1: Micky Billingham reveals in the group's latest news-letter that the next single entitled "Your Own" will be released very shortly.    Giorgio Kilkenny replaces Steve Wynne on bass guitar just in time to perform on the new single, now retitled "Liars A To E" and featuring Speare, Maurice and Paterson on Viola and cellos instead of their familiar brass instruments. October: "Liars A to E" released.    November 13: @ London, Old Vic  November 14: @ London, Old Vic  November 15: @ London, Old Vic

1982 January: Violin player, Helen  Bevington  from Birmingham School of Music rehearses with Dexys as they experiment with a new "Celtic Soul" sound. She introduces fellow students, Steve Shaw and Roger Huckle to the group and the trio (renamed Helen O'Hara, Steve Brennan and Roger MacDuff) become known as 'The Emerald Express'. Big Jimmy Paterson  and Brian Maurice leave Dexys, feeling that their role in the group has diminished since the arrival of the fiddle section. Paul Speare remains with the group for another few weeks. March 21:  "Celtic Soul Brothers" (featuring 'The Emerald Express') enters the British chart, peaking at number 45.  Big Jimmy Paterson  and Brian Maurice agree to return to the group on a session basis to complete the album sessions. "Too-Rye-Ay" (provisional title "Hey, Where You Going With That Suitcase") recorded" April: Record Mirror states that a new Dexys album entitled "Where You Going With That Suitcase?" will be released in July. June 6: Brass section return for one last wild waltz, performing at a one-off concert:  "Radio 1 Live in Concert" recorded @ Newcastle, Exhibition Park. June 19th: In its first week of release "Come On Eileen" fails to chart and is listed as 'bubbling under' the top 75 for 2 weeks running. July 3: "Come On Eileen" enters British chart at No.63. July 4: "Radio 1 session" recorded (tracks: "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)"; "Let's Make This Precious"; "All In All (This One Last Wild Waltz)"; "Old" (The session features Mark Walters on trombone and new saxophonist Nick Gatfield.) End July: "Too-Rye-Ay" released. August: Giorgio Kilkenny leaves Dexys and is replaced on bass by Johnny Edwards. August 7: "Come On Eileen" reaches number 1 in British chart (... just in time for Eddie-Metal's 22nd birthday celebrations) Dexys consolidate their new-found success by commencing "The Bridge" tour, accompanied by new-recruits, Spike Edney on trombone and saxophonist Kevin Gilson.   September 26: @ Glasgow, Pavilion September 27: @ Edinburgh, Usher Hall September 28: @ Newcastle, City Hall September 30: @ Manchester, Tameside Theatre October 1: @ Southport Theatre October 2: @ LLandudno, Astra Theatre; "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" enters British chart. October 3: @ Birmingham, Hippodrome  October 5: @ Coventry, Apollo  October 6: @ Cardiff, St David's Hall October 7: @ Poole, Arts Centre October 9: @ London, Shaftesbury Theatre October 10: @ London, Shaftesbury Theatre (filmed for video release) Dexys embark on an extensive European tour (including...) October 27: @ Haarlem, (Holland) October 29: @ Hamburg, Markthalle November 5: @ Hamburg, Audiomax    November 13:  @ Paris, Eldorado November 19:  @ Berlin, Germany  December 3: Dexys appear on Channel 4's "The Tube" giving a remarkable performance of "There There My Dear". They also perform "Let's Get This Straight", "Celtic Soul Brothers" and "Plan B" (which is cut short by the end of the show.)   Micky Billingham leaves Dexys to join General Public.   December 3: Dexys appear on BBC2 programme, "Oxford Road Show" performing "Kevin Rowland's Band", "Let's Get This Straight" and "Celtic Soul Brothers".   December 4: "Let's Get This Straight (From The Start)"/"Old" enters British chart.   December 26: Dexys perform  Slade's "Merry Christmas, Everybody" and "Let's Get This Straight" on ITV Christmas special, "Christmas Goes Pop".

1983 February: Dexys embark on their first American tour with new-recruit, Bob Noble taking over on keyboards from the departed Billingham. A concert performed at the New York Savoy is recorded for US release. March 18: "Radio 1 Live in Concert" recorded @ Liverpool, Royal Court Theatre. April 2: "The Celtic Soul Brothers (More Please, Thank You)" enters the British charts. April 16: "Rockpalast" live TV broadcast recorded @ Essen, Germany April 17: @ Paris, Casino de Paris April 18: @ Paris, Casino de Paris April 23: "Come On Eileen" reaches number 1 in the American charts. May: Dexys embark on a second tour of  America to capitalise on the success of "Come On Eileen" and "Too-Rye-Ay":   May ??: @ Hollywood, Los Angeles, The Palace. (This show is broadcast on radio show "Rock 'n' Roll Tonight")   May 31: @ Los Angeles, Greek Theatre   After this tour the group takes time out to start developing ideas for the next album.  September/October: Dexys begin demo-ing material for their next album, including new composition "What's She Like."

1984 February: Vincent Crane joins Dexys after seeing an advert for a "bluesy-hard  piano player" in Melody Maker. Mick Bolton also auditions for the group which is now a nucleus of Kevin Rowland, Billy Adams, Helen O'Hara and Nicky Gatfield.   April/May: Dexys spend four weeks recording at Mountain Studios in Montreaux, with Rowland, Adams, O'Hara, Gatfield and Crane joined by previous Dexys members Johnny Edwards, Bob Noble and original trombonist Jimmy Paterson, alongside Wilson Pickett's regular drummer, Crusher Green.     "I Love You (Listen To This)" recorded. ("Reminisce Part Two" also believed to have been recorded at this time) June/July: Crane , Edwards and Green are replaced by Mick Bolton, Trevor Burton and Mick Woodmansey as album rehearsals and recording sessions continue back in England.   "Elizabeth Wimpole & Kathleen Ni Houlihan" (a.k.a. The Waltz"), "Kevin Rowland's 13th Crime" and "The Way You Look Tonight" recorded along with unreleased recordings "What She's Like", "One Of Those Things", "I'll Put It Right With Thirst" and "Dave" (a.k.a. "Knowledge of Beauty").  August: Original release date for new album postponed as recording continues at studios in Kensington.  September: Crane and Edwards return to the group replacing Bolton and Burton, as the entire album is re-recorded with new drummer Tim Dancy. The line-up is augmented by Julian Littman on Mandolin and steel gutar player Tommy Evans.     Released versions of "This Is What She's Like", "The Occasional Flicker", "Knowledge Of Beauty" and "One Of Those Things" recorded.  December: Rescheduled release date for new album postponed .

1985 January: 'Smash Hits' announces that it has heard "rough mixes" of the new Dexys album, stating that Kevin Rowland has "gone a bit Rock 'n' Roll".  February 1: Mixing of the album begins in New York's Electric Ladyland studios. August 17: A wordless, full-page advert depicting Kevin Rowland in a suit and tie appears in both Melody Maker and N.M.E. August 23: Dexys' scheduled headline appearance on  a  five-hour Channel  4 special, 'The Big Tube' is cancelled when the programme  is scrapped at the last minute due to industrial action at Tyne Tees studios. September 7: Kevin Rowland and Billy Adams take part in an extended interview with Richard Skinner on Radio 1, previewing several of the new album tracks.  September 13: "Don't Stand Me Down" is finally released. Dexys appear on BBC 1's "Wogan" show, performing "Listen To This"   October 1: Kevin Rowland is interviewed on  BBC 2's 'Whistle Test' by Richard Skinner. The interview is followed by a  rare broadcast of the video for "Knowledge of Beauty".     October 4: Kevin Rowland, Billy Adams and Helen O'Hara appear on Channel 4's "Bliss" for a  rather confrontational interview with Muriel Gray.  October 5: "Marguerita Time" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" recorded. October 11: Dexys perform "Listen To This" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" on  Channel 4's 'The Tube'.  October 22: @ Rennes, Maison De La Culture  October 23: @ Nantes, Le Paris  October 25: @ Paris, Eldorado October 26: @ Paris, Eldorado October 27: @ Paris, Eldorado November 1: @ Edinburgh, Playhouse November 2: @ Newcastle, City Hall November 3: @ Manchester Apollo November 4: @ Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall November 7: @ Southampton, Beaumont November 8: @ Brighton, Centre; "(An Extract From) This Is What She's Like" is released as a single.  November 9: @ Bristol, Colston Hall November 11: @ London, Dominion Theatre November 12: @ London, Dominion Theatre November 13: @ London, Dominion Theatre   December: "This Is What She's Like" re-recorded for proposed single release.

1986 March 18: "Because Of You" recorded. Dexys provide the theme tune and incidental music for a new BBC comedy called  "Brush Strokes". The song, originally titled "You're Alright With Me", is also planned for future single release.  New Kevin Rowland composition "Walk Away" is demoed with a view to releasing it as the next Dexys single. However, following the exposure gained from it's regular use in the  hit series "Brush Strokes", "Because Of You" becomes the new single by "Dexys Midnight Runners Featuring Kevin Rowland".  November 22: "Because of You (The Theme from Brush Strokes)"  enters the British charts, eventually reaching number 13.  Later pressings of "Because Of You" carry the changed heading: "Kevin Rowland Featuring Dexys Midnight Runners" indicating the beginnings of Rowland's move towards a solo career.

1987 Kevin Rowland compositions "Young Man", "When You Walk Alone" and "Tonight" are demo-ed as Rowland begins work on what will eventually become his first solo album.  August: Dexys Midnight Runners Circle newsletter announces that Kevin Rowland is in the United States recording the L.P.- revealing that "The new material is different from previous Dexys Midnight Runners output... At present, progress is according to schedule and they are about half-way through recording the album."

1988 February 20: N.M.E. reports that Kevin Rowland will return with a new solo single and album in April. May: "Walk Away" is released, reaching number 67 in the British charts. June: "The Wanderer" is released, also reaching number 67 in the British charts.  July 15: Kevin Rowland appears on Jonathan Ross' Channel 4 show, "The Last Resort", performing "The More I See You" accompanied by ex-Midnight Runners, Jimmy Paterson and Mick Bolton.  August: "Tonight" is released, reaching number 81 in the British charts. October: "Young Man" is released. It does not chart.

1990: Kevin Rowland  co-writes the song "If You Keep On" for Adam Ant's album "Manners and Physique".

1991: Kevin Rowland  and Jimmy Paterson  who are both unemployed and on the dole meet up again and discuss plans to reform Dexys. August 25: "The People" newspaper runs a cover story reporting that Kevin Rowland has discovered he has a 17 year old daughter named Althea-Jane.

1992: Kevin Rowland supplies vocals and guitar for the Shut Up And Dance track, "Autobiography of A Crackhead" Heavenly Records finance the recording of some new demos. The songs include early versions of "Manhood" and "My Life In England" together with "You're The Rose" and "You Can Get Your Own Free".

1993: Further demos are  recorded including new versions of "Manhood" and "My Life In England" together with "If I Ever", "She's Got A Giggle That Melts My Heart" and "Coming Home". March 27: A Dexys line-up featuring Kevin Rowland, Jimmy Paterson and Billy Adams perform "Manhood" and "If I Ever" on Jonathan Ross' Channel 4 show, "Saturday Zoo."  The return is accompanied by interviews in the music press detailing Dexys' plans for a new album and tour. August: Q Magazine runs a four page feature on Dexys' return. Kevin Rowland takes the opportunity to announce that the "Too-Rye-Ay" sound was actually inspired by Kevin Archer.

1994: Kevin Rowland, recovering from cocaine addiction and bankrupcy undergoes therapy. He also contemplates a career change to acting.   A TV documentary to mark the release of The Proclaimers' new album "Hit The Highway" includes a brief interview with Kevin Rowland.

1995 April 15: The N.M.E. prints an article about Dexys' aborted 1993 return. May 6: Kevin Rowland sends a letter to the N.M.E. regarding their recent Dexys article which leads to a war of words between him and the paper, lasting several weeks.

1997 January: Kevin Rowland announces that he has signed to Creation and will be releasing an album entitled "My Beauty". He also uses the press release to reiterate that Kevin Archer deserved credit for inspiring Dexy's "Too-Rye-Ay" sound. January 21: The Daily Mail reports the story, implying that "Come On Eileen" was actually written by Kevin Archer.  February 1: Melody Maker prints a  statement from Kevin Rowland clarifying that it was the "Too-Rye-Ay"SOUND and not any particular songs that were inspired by Kevin  Archer.

1998: While work on  the new album progresses slowly, it emerges that Jimmy Paterson has left the project.

1999 June: A high-profile bill-board campaign and front cover feature in "Dazed & Confused" magazine launch Kevin Rowland's new 'soft and sexy' look on an unsuspecting public.    August 28: Kevin Rowland does a 15 minute set at the Reading Festival, performing "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Concrete And Clay" and "The Greatest Love Of All". His attire and the use of exotic dancers during the set provoke a hostile reaction  from some in the crowd and also from the music press. September: "Concrete And Clay" is released. It does not chart.  The Bruce Springsteen song "Thunder Road" is pulled from "My Beauty" at the eleventh hour after  permission to use different lyrics from the original version is refused. October: "My Beauty" is released. It does not chart.

2000 August: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (20th anniversary edition)" is released. September: Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer are reunited for an 8-page interview in Record Collector.   The Dexys story is featured as part of a BBC documentary series, "Young Guns", including contributions from many of the original group members.  October 21: Dexys feature on a Channel 4 documentary "Top Ten of 1980" which includes a joint-interview with Kevin Archer and Kevin Rowland as well as comments from Big Jimmy Paterson and Geno Washington.

2001 March: Rumours of a possible Dexys return again resurface. It is also announced that Kevin Rowland has supplied the vocals for a forthcoming Space Raiders single, "Dreamland", described as being quite 'vaudeville' in style. The single, scheduled for a summer release, never appears. April: Kevin Rowland appears in a BBC Scotland documentary to mark the release of The Proclaimers' new album, "Persevere", declaring his appreciation of their music. August 23: Kevin Rowland appears at Filthy McNasty's pub in London as part of a promotion for Paul Gorman's book "The Look" to which Kevin has contributed his recollections on Mod fashion and culture. He reads extracts from the book and performs renditions of "This Guy's In Love With You" and "I Love You (Listen To This)".  November: Kevin Rowland appears at the Q Magazine awards ceremony, presenting Travis with their 'Best Band' award. Kevin's 'country gent' look complete with checked jacket and cap ensure that his picture appears in several news papers and celebrity magazines.

2002 A promotional tour for Paul Gorman's book "The Look" is postponed several times before being cancelled.     April: "Don't Stand Me Down (The Director's Cut)" is released.

2003 March 7: Former Midnight Runners, Pete Williams, Steve Spooner and Mick Talbott are reunited with fellow ex-Bureau members Archie Brown and Paul Taylor at a Young Bucks gig in Gateshead. Meanwhile, rumours are once again circulating that Dexys plan to reform, and that Paul Gorman is writing a Dexys biography. April: Dexys announce that they have recorded two new songs, intended for single release and will be releasing a new Greatest Hits album later in the year which will be accompanied by a tour. June: Mojo Magazine features a letter from Kevin Rowland to his fans: "I just want to say thanks to the fans of mine who have supported me through the good times and the bad for more than 20 years. I do appreciate it. Thank you."  August 8: Kevin Rowland and Pete Williams are interviewed  by Mark Goodier for BBC Radio 2. The show also features the first public airing of the new "Manhood" single and it is revealed during the interview that Mick Talbot will be part of the new Dexys line-up. August 23: Kevin Rowland and Pete Williams are interviewed  by Mark Lamarr for BBC Radio 2. September 17: The  new line-up of Midnight Runners including ex-Bureau trombonist Paul Taylor and "My Beauty" guitarist Neil Hubbard is revealed by MSN's 'Dexys Midnight Runners Group'! On the same day the band make their first public appearance when they record a performance of "Manhood" for the BBC TV show TOTP2.   September 22: New 'Best of' compilation "Let's Make This Precious" is released. September 30: Kevin Rowland is interviewed  by Danny Baker for BBC Radio London. October 4: A four-piece line-up of Midnight Runners featuring Kevin Rowland, Pete Williams, Mick Talbot and Neil Hubbard play a short set at Newcastle's Baltic Centre,broadcast live on Radio 2. They perform "My Life In England" which is announced as the new single together with unplugged style versions of "Because of You" and "Come On Eileen". October 8: The TOTP2 performance of "Manhood" is broadcast.  October 21: @ Portsmouth, Guildhall October 23: @ Wolverhampton, Civic Hall October 25: @ Leeds, Grand Theatre October 26: @ Basingstoke, The Anvil October 28: @ Bristol, Colston Hall October 29: @ Cambridge, Corn Exchange October 31: @ Guildford, Civic November 2: @ Aberdeen, Music Hall November 3: @ Glasgow, Pavilion November 4: @ Newcastle, Opera House November 6: @ Manchester, Academy November 7: @ Liverpool, Royal Court Theatre - recorded for DVD release. November 8: @ Northampton, Derngate November 10: @ London, Royal Festival Hall November 11: @ Mitlon Keynes, Stables November 12: @ Plymouth, Pavilions November 14: @ Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre November 15: @ Dublin, Vicar Street November 16: @ Belfast, Waterfront Hall November 18: @ Leicester, De Montford Hall November 20: @ Malmo, KB November 22: @ Oslo, Rockefeller November 23: @ Stockholm, Cirkus November 25: @ Goteborg, Tradgarn  December: Kevin Rowland selects ten of his all-time favourite tracks for BBC Radio 2 feature "Tracks Of My Tears". The selections include  two songs each by Van Morrison and Bryan Ferry.

2004 January 24: Kevin Rowland takes part in a public interview at a theatre in Gothenburg organised in conjuction with The Gothenburg Film Festival and Swedish radio. January 27: Kevin Rowland  attends a signing session at a record store in Stockholm. February 14: BBC Radio 2 broadcasts an hour-long documentary presented by comedian, Alexei Sayle entitled "Alexei on Dexys" featuring interviews with Kevin Rowland and several ex-band members. May 26: Kevin Rowland makes a surprise guest appearance at a gig by Swedish artist Moneybrother at the Debaser club in Stockholm. He performs the Moneybrother song “It’s Been Hurting All The Way With You, Joanna” as well as the Dexys classics "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green", "This Is What She's Like" and "Come On Eileen". May 31: "Punk In London '77" DVD released featuring rare footage of Kevin Rowland in The Killjoys, along with many other punk acts including The Clash and The Jam. June: "Come On England" (a re-working of Dexys hit "Come On Eileen") is released as a 'Euro 2004' football anthem by a group called 4-4-2. It reaches Number 2 in the UK singles chart.    June 15: A telephone interview with Kevin Rowland about the song is broadcast on Sky Sports News.  August 30: "It Was Like This - Live" DVD, featuring film of Dexys 2003 show in Liverpool is finally released.  September 26: Kevin Rowland and Billy Adams appear briefly on ITV show "It Shouldn't Happen To A Pop Star" discussing their experiences of 'over-obsessive fans'!

2005 March 12: Kevin Rowland performs at a reunion concert for art-rock band, Deaf School at The Magnet in Liverpool. He appears alongside Madness singer, Suggs on stage. June 2: A short interview with Kevin Rowland, announcing that Dexys are 'back in the studio' and 'working on a new album' is broadcast on the Ken Bruce show on BBC Radio 2. October 4: New web-site, "dexys.org"is set up!   October 10: Richard White's unofficial Dexys book "Young Soul Rebels" is published. November 15: Kevin Rowland's scheduled performance at a Gala Concert in Cardiff in aid of Kidney Research is cancelled at the last minute due to a family bereavement.

2006 January 20: Kevin Rowland features as a guest reviewer on BBC 6Music new-release show "Round Table". January 24: The Sun newspaper reports that Blur's Alex James is writing a song for the new Dexys album and might perform with Dexys "next year". January 26: Kevin Rowland features in another brief interview on BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce show talking about writing songs for the forthcoming Dexys album.  February 22/23: Kevin Rowland returns to Sweden for more live performances at Stokholm's Debaser club.  February 24: Kevin Rowland performs with Debaser club's house-band Club Killers in Lund, southern Sweden. Whilst in Sweden, Kevin gives interviews to journalists Andres Lokko and Patrik Zander about his plans for the new Dexys album.

2007 January 19: Kevin Rowland DJ set @ Wolverhampton, Civic Centre.  February: Kevin Rowland announces via his MySpace site that future releases will be under the shortened name of "Dexys" (rather than "Dexys Midnight Runners")   February 14-16: Kevin Rowland stands in as a guest DJ for three nights on BBC 6Music, playing a very eclectic mix of songs.  July 13: Kevin Rowland DJ set @ Birmingham, Hare & Hounds. August 10: Kevin Rowland DJ set @ Dublin, Sugar Club.   August 25: Kevin Rowland appears as a guest on Mark Lamaar's BBC2 radio show, discussing his involvement in a soon-to-be released Motown compilation. September 3: "Too-Rye-Ay" 2CD "Deluxe Edition" released.   Motown "Made-to-Measure" compilation featuring track selections hand-picked by Kevin Rowland also released.   September 7-9: Kevin Rowland DJ set @ "Bestival", Newport, Isle of Wight.

2008 January: Kevin Rowland gives a short interview to Uncut magazine about work on the new Dexys album. September 5-7: Kevin Rowland DJ set @ "Bestival", Newport, Isle of Wight. November 1: Kevin Rowland performs a live DJ set on BBC 6Music's "6 Mix" show.